FDAP moves apprenticeships a step closer

The next step has been taken towards developing a Drug and Alcohol Worker Apprenticeship to ensure greater competency and consistency across the sector.

Kate Halliday: ‘We need to meet the learning needs of the workforce.’

The Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals (FDAP) is submitting the proposal to develop a Drug and Alcohol Worker Standard – the basis for an apprenticeship – to the Institute for Apprenticeships. The move is in line with the Drugs, Alcohol and Justice Cross-Party Parliamentary Group’s recent Charter for Change, which calls for an apprenticeship-based qualification for the drug and alcohol workforce.

‘We aim to set a standard that meets the learning needs of the workforce to engage effectively with the full range of often complex issues that people using alcohol and drugs present with, across the variety of service settings including the community, secure environments and residential,’ said Kate Halliday, FDAP/SMMGP interim executive director.

The next stage in the process is to gather information from a ‘trailblazer group’ via a brief online questionnaire, which FDAP would like you complete by Friday 13 October.

FDAP is also keen to welcome new organisations to the group, particularly those with less than 50 employees. Email fdap@smmgp.org.uk for more details.